GEO News 2014-15

VCU to receive IIE Generation Study Abroad Grant

Virginia Commonwealth University has been awarded the Institute of International Education’s Generation Study Abroad grant to fund scholarships for study abroad in Ireland. With matching support from VCU, the scholarship will provide a total of $15,000 to support six student awards of $2,500 each. These scholarships can be used for the cost of tuition, books and travel related to study, service learning or internships abroad for Spring 2016 programs.

VCU to host
Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders

Virginia Commonwealth University is proud to announce that it has been selected as a host institution for the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.
This flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and President Barack Obama’s signature effort to invest in the next generation of global leaders will take place on the VCU campus from Jun. 19-Aug. 1. Twenty-five of Africa’s brightest emerging leaders in the area of public management will participate in an academic and leadership institute co-sponsored by the VCU Global Education Office and the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.

Special Announcement for Students and Scholars

In light of the recent unsettling events in Iraq, the VCU Global Education Office and Division of Student Affairs are reaching out to our students and scholars with personal, geographic or cultural ties to the Iraq region.

VCU administrator receives Fulbright to South Korea

Leslie A. Bozeman, Ph.D., the associate director of global engagement at VCU Globe in Virginia Commonwealth University’s Global Education Office, will participate in the Fulbright International Education Administrators program in South Korea this summer.
Fulbright’s IEA program helps international education professionals and senior higher education officials from the United States create connections with the societal, cultural and higher education systems of other countries.
Bozeman manages the curriculum and global engagement initiatives and teaches the global education and global engagement seminars for VCU Globe, a global education living-learning program.

“Lessons from Abroad” conference offers new insights to Education Abroad students

The Virginia Commonwealth University Education Abroad office participated in Virginia‘s first “Lessons from Abroad” conference held at the University of Virginia on March 21, 2015. This inaugural conference, designed for students from colleges and universities across Virginia who have studied abroad, helps students understand more about their time abroad and provides guidance on how to connect experiences with professional aspirations and continuing education.

ISSP staff featured in VATESOL newsletter

Volunteers recognized for service to VCU international students

The Global Education Office showed appreciation to its valued volunteers who connect with VCU’s international students at the Volunteer Appreciation Reception on April 22. VCU students and members of the Richmond community graciously give of their time as conversation partners, friendship families, and residential and special program hosts. These experiences help international students become more immersed in American culture and learn about their new surroundings as they study at the university. For more information about volunteer opportunities at VCU, visit: http://www.global.vcu.edu/students/connections/connected/.

VCU Globe receives “100,000 Strong in the Americas” Innovation Grant

Virginia Commonwealth University is one of nine universities from around the U.S., Canada and Latin America to win a “100,000 Strong in the Americas” Innovation Grant in the amount of $25,000. The award, given by the U.S. Department of State, Partners of the Americas, and NAFSA: Association of International Educators was announced by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry at the Summit of the Americas in Panama City on April 9.

Quest Global Impact 2015-16 Award Winners Announced

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Global Education Office has awarded sixteen grants of up to $20,000 to projects that support the university’s global priorities to improve the recruitment and retention of international students and scholars, increase the global engagement of VCU students and faculty, and expand VCU’s global footprint through research, teaching and global engagement.
The Quest Global Impact Award winners will be recognized at a September 2015 ceremony at VCU. Projects funded will take place during the 2015-16 academic year

David Shipp, English Language Program
Instructor at VCU, dies

David Shipp, long-time instructor in Virginia Commonwealth University English Language Program died Thursday after a brief battle with cancer. He was 62.
Shipp joined the ELP faculty in 1993 teaching English speaking, reading, writing and listening skills to language learners from around the globe.
“David was a truly unique individual and his loss leaves a huge void in our office and the VCU community as a whole,” said R. McKenna Brown, executive director of the Global Education Office. “He will be greatly missed.”

GEO in the News: 200 street banners linked to bike race are going up in Richmond

Broad Street is still haunted by the Ghost of Christmas Past, but it’s about to be renewed by a glimpse of things yet to come.
As of Monday, Christmas trees, snowflakes and gift wrapping still graced the decorative banners attached to light poles on the downtown stretch of Broad that splits City Hall and Capitol Square.

VCU wins Prestigious Award for VCU Globe

Virginia Commonwealth University has been awarded the 2015 Senator Paul Simon Spotlight Award, which recognizes a specific international program or initiative that contributes to the comprehensive internationalization of a university.
The award, granted by NAFSA: Association of International Educators, will be presented to the university’s VCU Globe living-learning program, which prepares students to live and work in a 21st-century global environment through the connection of course work, co-curricular activities and a vibrant residential experience.

Year of the Ram

“Gong Xi Fa Cai,” a Mandarin expression meant to wish someone well, will be heard often this week as more than 1 billion people celebrate the Chinese New Year. The festive celebration, which takes place this year on Feb. 19, runs on a 12-year cycle with a different animal representing each year. In China, 2015 is the Year of the Sheep, but Virginia Commonwealth University is declaring it the Year of the Ram, to symbolize the university’s new focus on China.

VCU Partners with Midwives for Haiti to Reduce Infant and Maternal Mortality

Virginia Commonwealth University is partnering with Richmond based non-profit organization Midwives for Haiti to offer support to their skilled birth attendant training and reproductive health services offered to women in Haiti.

Helping Faculty Teach International Students

VCU launches Peace Corps Prep Program

Virginia Commonwealth University has become one of only 25 institutions across the nation to participate in the Peace Corps Prep program. This program, administered through VCU Globe, the university’s global education living-learning program, will enable VCU to offer an enhanced academic and service-based program that prepares students for entry into the Peace Corps and other positions in international development.
The Peace Corps Prep program was officially launched at a reception on Nov. 19 in VCU’s West Grace Student Housing – North residence hall, home to VCU Globe. More than 100 VCU students, faculty, staff, administrators, Peace Corps representatives, returned Peace Corps volunteers and community members were in attendance.

Special Announcement:
GEO statement on Ebola outbreak

In light of the outbreak of Ebola in some African nations, the VCU Global Education Office and Division of Student Affairs are reaching out to students and scholars with personal, geographic or cultural ties to affected areas and to anyone with concerns.
If you are planning travel to any of the currently affected countries — Guinea, Liberia, or Sierra Leone — please consult Student Health before you travel and again upon returning to VCU.

Joseph Miemczyk, Ph.D., H.D.R., associate professor in Operations and Supply Chain Management at Audencia Nantes Ecole de Management in Nantes, France has joined the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business as a Global Visiting Scholar.
The Global Visiting Scholar award, offered by the VCU Global Education Office, supports departments or schools in hosting an international scholar for a semester or academic year who will contribute to enriching the learning and scholarship of the unit.

Promoting Undergraduate Research

As the crisp days of autumn rapidly approach, summer feels like a distant memory. But for three undergraduate students at Virginia Commonwealth University, research projects conducted over the summer continue to make a significant impact as the fall semester takes shape. Through the Global Education Office (GEO) Undergraduate Research Fellowship, hosted by the VCU Office of Research Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), junior Ling-lin Ku, and seniors Samantha Correa and Siobhan Gray participated in research projects which enabled them to engage significantly with international cultures while simultaneously building their research skills. GEO awarded $1,500 to each student and $500 to each of their mentors in order to complete these projects.

Education Abroad Scholarships Available

For some students, the dream of studying abroad can become an illusion when they consider the financial implications of doing so. But the Virginia Commonwealth University Global Education Office is helping students make their study abroad dream a reality by providing Education Abroad scholarships.
The Education Abroad office offers six different scholarship opportunities that award between five hundred and two thousand dollars each to help students study around the world.

Guest speaker kicks off National Hispanic Heritage Month with a dash of salsa

When the speaker entered the auditorium dancing to “Oye Como Va,” urging the audience to join her as she made her way to the front, it was clear this wasn’t going to be just any presentation.
Award-winning Latina author and activist Juana Bordas spoke to nearly 100 people on Tuesday evening at the launch of Virginia Commonwealth University’s first ever campuswide celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Global Education Office has awarded Eighteen grants of up to $20,000 to projects that support the university’s global priorities to improve the recruitment and retention of international students and scholars, increase the global engagement of VCU students and faculty, and expand VCU’s global footprint through research, teaching and global engagement.

VCU celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month

To celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, VCU’s Global Education Office, Division of Community Engagement, Division for Inclusive Excellence and Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, in collaboration with Sacred Heart Center, will host award winning Latina author and activist Juana Bordas on Sept. 16. The event will be held at 7pm in the VCU School of Engineering West Hall, Room 101, 601 W. Main St., Richmond, Va.

Globe welcomes 2014 cohort

VCU Globe welcomed 90 VCU students into its second cohort during a two-day orientation on August 18-19. Throughout the orientation, students were introduced to each other and program administrators through various activities that included ice-breakers and a meet-and-greet session, as well as participated in university-wide orientation events. The program, which aims to prepare students to navigate among global communities at home, abroad and in personal and professional contexts hosts students from more than 34 majors across the university.

VCU welcomes new international students for fall 2014

Virginia Commonwealth University and the VCU Global Education Office were pleased to welcome nearly 200 new international students for the fall 2014 semester at International Student Orientation on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 in the Academic Learning Commons.

A truly international research university

A few weeks ago, I had the profound honor of representing Virginia Commonwealth University in China, a trip focused on creating and strengthening strategic partnerships with the leading universities in the world’s most populated nation.